The situation in Kisumu is currently tense due to ongoing protests by teachers and students.
The unrest stems from a broader strike led by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), despite the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) having called off their planned strike.
KUPPET members are demanding resolutions to unresolved issues, which has led to significant disruptions in schools, including closures and halted learning activities.
The strike has not only affected teachers but has also drawn in students, who have joined the demonstrations in solidarity with their teachers.
These demonstrations are part of a larger wave of protests in Kisumu, where citizens have also taken to the streets to voice their grievances against the high cost of living and the recent Finance Bill.
The protests, which have seen hundreds of residents, including youths and students, march through the streets, highlight the growing frustration among Kenyans over economic hardships exacerbated by what they perceive as punitive taxation.
The situation has prompted the government to take precautionary measures, including the closure of day schools in Kisumu to ensure the safety of students amid the escalating unrest.
The protests have largely been peaceful, but the presence of security forces remains prominent to prevent any potential violence.
As the demonstrations continue, there is increasing pressure on the government to address the demands of both the educators and the public to restore normalcy in the region.
